The NAACP announced this week it will offer a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who burned a cross in the yard of a black Independence Township family.
The six-foot tall cross was erected from one-by-six boards, doused with gasoline’or some other accelerant’and set aflame during the night Aug. 13.
‘It was quite large,? said the woman who owns the home along with her husband, asking that her name and address be withheld for privacy reasons.
The cross wasn’t found until the following morning, after it had fallen over in a grassy area where it presumably self-extinguished. ‘Large and disgusting.?
The woman said she and her family moved to the home about 10 years ago and have never experienced any problems in the quiet, private area.
‘None. Absolutely zero,? she said. ‘We’ve been in the community, and paying a lot of taxes, for a long time. Clarkston is a nice area, it’s upscale, and this is a ridiculous thing to have to deal with, especially after being in the community for so long.?
The home is the family’s second in the Clarkston area; the couple’s college-age children attended Clarkston Community Schools, beginning with Independence Elementary and eventually graduating with honors from Clarkston High School.
The entire family was shocked, appalled and angered by the incident.
‘The offense is ‘ethnic intimidation,?? the woman said. ‘We’re not intimidated; we’re offended at the ignorance that’s still out there, and the way people are still raising their children. I thought we were past this as a society; I teach my kids ‘educate yourself and treat people well and you’ll be well treated.??
The woman said she was also offended by ‘the fact that they used a Christian symbol to promote and spread hate.?
‘Jesus Christ was crucified for our ignorance and stupidity,? she said. ‘And they want to use that a symbol to promote hate.?
But, she noted, although it’s been difficult to understand why such a thing would happen, authorities have been responsive and helpful.
‘The detectives (at the Independence Township substation) have been very good about giving me updates,? she said.
Indeed, officials at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), as well as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), are taking the incident seriously.
‘We’re dedicating a lot of resources to the case,? said Lt. Dale LaBair, commander of the substation, noting he’s only seen one or two similar incidents in his entire police career. ‘It’s a strikingly unusual event, especially for a quiet area like that.?
LaBair said he’s been in contact with the FBI, noting the two agencies are sharing information and resources on the case.
‘We do have some physical evidence,? he said. ‘But this won’t be easy to resolve.?
But H. Wallace Parker, chief legal counsel for the North Oakland chapter of the NAACP, said he’s hoping the $1,000 reward for information will help.
‘Regardless of how much change there is in our society, it always amazes me that one or two areas seem to remain constant,? he said ‘The hatred a few people in our society seem to harbor, and seem to feed on, is one of them.?
Parker said he’s owned property in Clarkston for about 30 years.
‘I find it to be a good community,? he said. ‘It’s hard to imagine this has occurred, especially in the Clarkston area.?
Others feel the same.
St. Daniel’s Catholic Church will hold a ‘prayer service for ethnic and racial tolerance? on Tuesday, Sept 1 at 7 p.m.
‘We were saddened to read of the recent cross-burning at the home of an African-American family in Independence Township (earlier this week),? said Fr. Christopher Maus, pastor of St. Daniel, in a press release issued by the church. ‘It’s hard to believe that level of hatred and prejudice still persists yet today. It’s incumbent on all of us to gather together in support of an end to these incidents and to demonstrate that this kind of behavior is totally unacceptable in our community.?
The service, open to people of all faiths, will be ‘a celebration of diversity, to pray for tolerance and an end to hatred,? he said.
St. Daniel’s is located at 7010 Valley Park Drive. For more information, call the Parish Office, 248-625 4580.
Anyone with information about the cross-burning is asked to call the Independence Township substation at 248-620-4970.